The region said farewell on Monday to one of its most respected minds with the passing of Trinidadian economist and Express columnist, Dr Algernon Lloyd Best.
Best, who celebrated his 73rd birthday on February 27, had been ailing for some time and was being treated for prostate cancer. He passed away in the company of his family at his Tunapuna home around 2.20 p.m.
Himself one of ten siblings, Best has left behind six children-Robert, Jean-Jacques, Stuart, Kamla, Carmel and Ayiti-Carmel-as well as his wife, journalist Sunity Maharaj.
His death has added to an already grieving community of intellectuals and journalists, who on Monday buried another brilliant comrade, Dr George John.
Best and those who followed his work enjoyed a scope that included politics, economics and teaching.
In politics, he made a name as the founder of the “grassroots” movement-Tapia House Group and also served as Leader of the Opposition of the Senate. The recognition of this lengthy and kaleidoscopic career peaked last year, when he received an Honorary Doctor of Letters (DLitt) degree for his contribution to regional intellectual advancement, from the University of West Indies at St Augustine.
As an economist, there was perhaps one time of the year that he was most sought after-to deliver an analysis on the annual budget almost immediately after its presentation. Last year’s delivery was in fact one his last public appearances, as ill-health would confine him to writing a weekly column.
In a release, political leader of the Congress of the People (COP) and fellow economist, Winston Dookeran, described Best as “a voice of sanity amidst political turbulence” that must always be remembered.
Also on Monday, the calypso fraternity said its final goodbyes to the “golden voice” of Fitzgerald Cornelius Henry, better known as The Mighty Terror.
His funeral was held at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Port of Spain and was attended by many calypsonians, entertainers, dignitaries and Culture Minister Joan Yuille-Williams.
Canon Dean Knolly Clarke described him as a patriarch and icon who contributed to the calypso art form and cultural development of this country. He added that his many contributions on the steelpan enabled it to become the national instrument.
Copyright Music Organisation of Trinidad and Tobago (COTT) representative, Alvin Daniell, an organisation that Henry was a founding member of back in 1985, recalled that he was blessed with a rich baritone voice, creative composition skills and an imposing stage presence.
“He was born to sing calypso,” he said.
Daniell also charted The Mighty Terror’s career, from its genesis in 1941 with his composition “Negroes Know Thyself”, to his winning calypso king title in 1950 with “Chinese Children”, and his work with the late Grandmaster Lord Kitchener in England. He said he received the sobriquet “golden voice” because of numerous public comments about the high quality of his voice.
Daniel noted that his compositions were humorous, spicy and informative but he never compromised singing what he considered “authentic calypso”. He recalled that one song, “Keep Calypso Clean”, encouraged calypsonians to make songs cleaner, especially for the next generation, advice which Daniel noted is relevant to artistes today.
Terror died last week at the age of 87, following a long battle with throat cancer. He is survived by his wife Gloria and four daughters, all of whom reside in the USA.
